Jos Buttler was unwilling to risk the fitness of several of his England side with the World Cup around the corner after the first of four dress rehearsal matches against New Zealand ended in a resounding defeat.
Caution was adopted over Jonny Bairstow’s shoulder niggle while Jason Roy succumbing to a back spasm on Friday morning meant Harry Brook formed a makeshift opening partnership with Dawid Malan at a hot and sticky Sophia Gardens.
